2018 Highlights

See what you can expect

The Race

The Al Adaid Desert Challenge is a big highlight and the most challenging cycling event on Qatar’s off road cycling calendar. For the second year in a row, the race is also part of the International Cycling Union calendar. Marked as UCI C3 Cross Country point to point race, it will cover 40 km of astonishing desert track from Sealine to one of Qatar’s most impressive natural wonders, the ‘Inland Sea’ or Khor Al Adaid.

This year, we added a desert running race to the event. 31,5 km is shorter, but much longer in time and more difficult then cycling event. It will be a proper endurance test for all running enthusiasts.

A UNESCO recognized natural reserve with its own ecosystem, this is one of the few places in the world where the sea encroaches deep into the heart of the desert. Inaccessible by road, this tranquil expanse of water can only be reached by crossing the rolling dunes. Rider will have to cross over six of them and runners five to reach the finish line. Besides the gruelling sand dunes, there are several sandy patches on the flat parts which makes the race even more challenging. Don’t be fooled by the length of the race, every sand dune, each patch of sand takes out something from you. To be competitive, you have to be extremely fit, have a good bike with optimum setup, choose the best path and sometimes also be lucky.